Autograph books

While the autograph is now thought of as a hastily scrawled celebrity signature, autograph books were once a treasured item which collected illustrations, poems and personal messages from friends and loved ones. Sir George Grey Special Collections is home to a number of these cherished albums. These books contain amazing images and messages that provide an insight into friendship groups and communities.

Ref: Autograph album, 1911-1935, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, NZMS 1104.

Rose Riddiford’s album features a short refrain from ‘Auntie Rose’ which goes some way to indicating the sentimental value these albums would hold and how they reflect the owner’s friendships:

Your album is a garden plot, 

Where all kind friends sow seeds, 

I plant the sweet forget-me-not, 

Please keep it free from weeds

Ref: Rose Riddiford, Autograph album, 1938-1947, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, NZMS 1231.

Harriet Gill’s book is filled with what appear to be ink blot drawings of pigs – although in this case Robert J. Coates has indicated that “[his ink blot] is a sheep, not a pig.” This irreverent style sees ‘pigs’ of all shapes and sizes accompanying friends’ signatures and dates. Why Harriet chose this concept for her album remains a mystery.

Ref: Harriet Alice Gill, Sketchbook of autographs, 1899-1915, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, NZMS 1097.

A light-hearted tone is a key feature of many of the inscriptions. This short rhyme sees the autographer bring together the written word alongside small drawing of a pig to fill their page:

The lightning flashed,

The thunder crashed,

Heaven & Earth were shaken.

The little pig curled up his tail,

And ran to save his bacon.

Ref: Joan Pitcher, Autograph album, 1939-1945, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, NZMS 1210.

Illustrations also make up a key part of autograph books, either alone or alongside a written passage. H Wilmot Hare’s album features a wide variety of illustrations, reflecting the different styles of those who were selected to contribute to the book.

Ref: H Wilmot Hare, Autograph book, 1898-1940, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, NZMS 1451.

Ref: H Wilmot Hare, Autograph book, 1898-1940, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, NZMS 1451.

Autographs feature across scrapbooks and other treasured belongings, but the autograph book concentrates this to a personal keepsake which friends pour their creativity, humour and heartfelt feelings into. As collection items they provide a fascinating insight into the friendships and communities that surround each book and a snapshot of those relationships.

For more on autograph albums see:

On women & friendship : a collection of Victorian keepsakes and traditions by Starr Ockenga

Author: Laura Jamieson